First stages of world class Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre open
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22 June 2012
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Today marked the opening of the first stage of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne. The Centre will provide the latest available treatments for cancer and have an important focus on promoting wellness and wellbeing.
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The new Centre is an excellent example of the co-operative work between doctors and researchers that puts Victoria at the forefront of innovative care and treatment facilities.
The first stage of the new centre will provide extensive outpatient and radiation oncology services, as well as the state of the art new Wellness Centre. This stage will also provide the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research with expanded research capacity.
The building design has been undertaken in close consultation with cancer patients and the result achieves a model of care that puts the patient at the centre. It is intended that patients would benefit from the close collaboration between the centre's scientists and clinicians, who work together to translate the latest in cancer research into better treatment and care.
The centre will be one of Melbourne's three leading cancer centres, together with the Monash Comprehensive Cancer Consortium and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre - which will be the brand new home for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. These three leading centres will underpin the Victorian cancer treatment system, and provide ongoing strategic investment in cancer research.
While the majority of funding for the centre was provided by the Victorian Government, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal raised significant funds to support its development, and the Federal Government also contributed A$25 million.
The Victorian Government has committed a further A$45 million to ensure the fit-out and completion of the second stage which will provide new palliative care and cancer inpatient beds. This final stage of the project is expected to be completed in late 2013.
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